Portion of an electronic vaping device formed of an oxygen sequestering agent

ABSTRACT

An electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a reservoir in the housing, the reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a heater in the housing, the heater configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation, at least one portion formed of a material including at least one polymer and at least one oxygen sequestering agent, and a power supply.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/693,703, filed Nov. 25, 2019, which is a continuation applicationof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/380,440, filed Dec. 15, 2016, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic vaping or e-vapingdevice.

Description of Related Art

An e-vaping device includes a heater element which vaporizes a pre-vaporformulation to produce a “vapor.”

The e-vaping device includes a power supply, such as a rechargeablebattery, arranged in the device. The battery is electrically connectedto the heater, such that the heater heats to a temperature sufficient toconvert a pre-vapor formulation to a vapor. The vapor exits the e-vapingdevice through a mouthpiece including at least one outlet.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment relates to an electronic vaping device.

In at least one example embodiment, an electronic vaping device includesa housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a reservoir in thehousing, the reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, aheater in the housing, the heater configured to heat the pre-vaporformulation, at least one portion formed of a material including atleast one polymer and at least one oxygen sequestering agent, and apower supply.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portion includes atleast a portion of at least one of the housing, a portion of thereservoir, a mouth-end insert, a gasket, a connector, a label, and anend cap. The label may be glued onto an outer surface of the housing 30,30′.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one polymer includes atleast one of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, lowdensity polypropylene, high density polypropylene, andpoly(dimethylsiloxane).

In at least one example embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent is anultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent. The oxygensequestering agent includes at least one of 1,2 polybutadiene, ananthroquinone system, and a three phase blend including a reactivedouble bond, a photoinitiator, and a transition metal catalyst. Theoxygen sequestering agent includes poly(ethylene/methylacrylate/cyclohexene-methyl acrylate) (EMCM).

In at least one example embodiment, the material includes about 5% toabout 99% of the polymer and about 1% to about 95% of the oxygensequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portion isconfigured to absorb up to about 2.5 mL of pure oxygen or about 0.5 mLto about 5.0 mL of pure oxygen.

In at least one example embodiment, the electronic vaping device has ashelf-life of at least 1 year.

At least one example embodiment relates to a cartridge of an electronicvaping device.

In at least one example embodiment, a cartridge of an electronic vapingdevice includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, areservoir in the housing, the reservoir configured to store a pre-vaporformulation, a heater in the housing, the heater configured to heat thepre-vapor formulation, and at least one portion of the electronic vapingdevice formed of a material including at least one polymer and at leastone oxygen sequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portion of theelectronic vaping device includes at least a portion of at least one ofthe housing, a portion of the reservoir, a mouth-end insert, a gasket, aconnector, and an end cap.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one polymer includes atleast one of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, lowdensity polypropylene, high density polypropylene, andpoly(dimethylsiloxane).

In at least one example embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent is anultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent. The oxygensequestering agent includes at least one of 1,2 polybutadiene, ananthroquinone system, and a three phase blend including a reactivedouble bond, a photoinitiator, and a transition metal catalyst. Theoxygen sequestering agent includes poly(ethylene/methylacrylate/cyclohexene-methyl acrylate) (EMCM).

In at least one example embodiment, the material includes about 5% toabout 99% of the polymer and about 1% to about 95% of the oxygensequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portion isconfigured to absorb up to about 2.5 mL of pure oxygen or about 0.5 mLto about 5.0 mL of pure oxygen.

In at least one example embodiment, the cartridge has a shelf-life of atleast about 1 year.

At least one example embodiment relates to a portion of an electronicvaping device.

In at least one example embodiment, a portion of an electronic vapingdevice is formed of a material including at least one polymer and atleast one oxygen sequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one oxygen sequesteringagent is coated on an outer surface of the portion.

At least one example embodiment relates to a method of prolonging ashelf-life of an electronic vaping device.

In at least one example embodiment, a method of prolonging a shelf-lifeof an electronic vaping device includes incorporating at least oneportion formed of a material including at least one polymer and at leastone oxygen sequestering agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an e-vaping device according to at least oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of the e-vaping deviceof FIG. 1 according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating nicotine degradant concentrations for aflavor formulation in a cartridge sealed with an oxygen absorptionstrip.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating nicotine degradant concentrations for aflavor formulation in a cartridge sealed with an oxygen absorptionstrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of exampleembodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an e-vaping device according to at least oneexample embodiment.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an electronicvaping device (e-vaping device) 10 may include a replaceable cartridge(or first section) 15 and a reusable battery section (or second section)20, which may be coupled together at a threaded connector 25. It shouldbe appreciated that the connector 25 may be any type of connector, suchas a snug-fit, detent, clamp, bayonet, and/or clasp. An air inlet 55extends through a portion of the connector 25.

In at least one example embodiment, the connector 25 may be theconnector described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/154,439, filed May13, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein byreference thereto. As described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/154,439,the connector 25 may be formed by a deep drawn process.

In at least one example embodiment, the first section 15 may include afirst housing 30 and the second section 20 may include a second housing30′. The e-vaping device 10 includes a mouth-end insert 35 at a firstend 45.

In at least one example embodiment, the first housing 30 and the secondhousing 30′ may have a generally cylindrical cross-section. In otherexample embodiments, the housings 30 and 30′ may have a generallytriangular cross-section along one or more of the first section 15 andthe second section 20. Furthermore, the housings 30 and 30′ may have thesame or different cross-section shape, or the same or different size. Asdiscussed herein, the housings 30, 30′ may also be referred to as outeror main housings.

In at least one example embodiment, the e-vaping device 10 may includean end cap 40 at a second end 50 of the e-vaping device 10. The e-vapingdevice 10 also includes a light 60 between the end cap 40 and the firstend 45 of the e-vaping device 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of the e-vaping deviceof FIG. 1.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the firstsection 15 may include a reservoir 95 configured to store a pre-vaporformulation and a vaporizer 80 that may vaporize the pre-vaporformulation. The vaporizer 80 incudes a heating element 85 and a wick90. The wick 90 may draw the pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir95. The e-vaping device 10 may include the features set forth in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al. filedJan. 31, 2013 and/or features set forth in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/135,930 to Holtz et al. filed Apr. 22, 2016, the entire contentsof each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. In otherexample embodiments, the e-vaping device may include the features setforth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/135,923 filed Apr. 22,2016, and/or U.S. Pat. No. 9,289,014 issued Mar. 22, 2016, the entirecontents of each of which is incorporated herein by this referencethereto.

In at least one example embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation is amaterial or combination of materials that may be transformed into avapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solidand/or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads,solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural orartificial flavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerin and propyleneglycol. The pre-vapor formulation may include the features set forth inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/296,529 filed Oct. 18, 2016 and/orU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/296,616 filed Oct. 18, 2016, theentire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by thisreference thereto.

In at least one example embodiment, the first section 15 may include thehousing 30 extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube (orchimney) 70 coaxially positioned within the housing 30.

In at least one example embodiment, a first connector piece 155 mayinclude a male threaded section for effecting the connection between thefirst section 15 and the second section 20.

At an upstream end portion of the inner tube 70, a nose portion 245 of agasket (or seal) 240 may be fitted into the inner tube 70; and an outerperimeter of the gasket 240 may provide a seal with an interior surfaceof the housing 30. The gasket 240 may also include a central,longitudinal air passage 235 in fluid communication with the inner tube70 to define an inner passage (also referred to as a central channel orcentral inner passage) 120. A transverse channel 230 at a backsideportion of the gasket 240 may intersect and communicate with the airpassage 235 of the gasket 240. This transverse channel 230 assurescommunication between the air passage 235 and a space 250 definedbetween the gasket 240 and the first connector piece 155.

In at least one example embodiment, the first connector piece 155 mayinclude a male threaded section for effecting the connection between thefirst section 15 and the second section 20.

In at least one example embodiment, at least two air inlets 55 may beincluded in the housing 30. Alternatively, a single air inlet 55 may beincluded in the housing 30. Such arrangement allows for placement of theair inlet 55 close to the connector 25 without occlusion by the presenceof the first connector piece 155. This arrangement may also reinforcethe area of air inlets 55 to facilitate precise drilling of the airinlets 55.

In at least one example embodiment, the air inlets 55 may be provided inthe connector 25 instead of in the housing 30. In other exampleembodiments, the connector 25 may not include threaded portions.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one air inlet 55 may beformed in the housing 30, adjacent the connector 25 to minimize thechance of an adult vaper's fingers occluding one of the ports and tocontrol the resistance-to-draw (RTD) during vaping. In at least oneexample embodiment, the air inlet 55 may be machined into the housing 30with precision tooling such that their diameters are closely controlledand replicated from one e-vaping device 10 to the next duringmanufacture.

In at least one example embodiment, the air inlets 55 may be sized andconfigured such that the e-vaping device 10 has a resistance-to-draw(RTD) in the range of from about 60 mm H₂O to about 150 mm H₂O.

In at least one example embodiment, a nose portion 110 of a gasket 65may be fitted into a first end portion 105 of the inner tube 70. Anouter perimeter of the gasket 65 may provide a substantially tight sealwith an interior surface 125 of the housing 30. The gasket 65 mayinclude a central channel 115 disposed between the inner passage 120 ofthe inner tube 70 and the interior of the mouth-end insert 35, which maytransport the vapor from the inner passage 120 to the mouth-end insert35. The mouth-end insert 35 includes at least two outlets 100, which maybe located off-axis from the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device10. The outlets 100 may be angled outwardly in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10. The outlets 100 may besubstantially uniformly distributed about the perimeter of the mouth-endinsert 35 so as to substantially uniformly distribute vapor.

In at least one example embodiment, the space defined between the gasket65, the gasket 240, the housing 30, and the inner tube 70 may establishthe confines of the reservoir 95. The reservoir 95 may contain apre-vapor formulation, and optionally a storage medium (not shown)configured to store the pre-vapor formulation therein. The storagemedium may include a winding of cotton gauze or other fibrous materialabout the inner tube 70.

In at least one example embodiment, the reservoir 95 may at leastpartially surround the inner passage 120. Thus, the reservoir 95 may atleast partially surround the inner passage 120. The heating element 85may extend transversely across the inner passage 120 between opposingportions of the reservoir 95. In some example embodiments, the heater 85may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner passage 120.

In at least one example embodiment, the reservoir 95 may be sized andconfigured to hold enough pre-vapor formulation such that the e-vapingdevice 10 may be configured for vaping for at least about 200 seconds.Moreover, the e-vaping device 10 may be configured to allow each puff tolast a maximum of about 5 seconds.

In at least one example embodiment, the storage medium may be a fibrousmaterial including at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester,rayon and combinations thereof. The fibers may have a diameter rangingin size from about 6 microns to about 15 microns (e.g., about 8 micronsto about 12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The storagemedium may be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibersmay be sized to be irrespirable and may have a cross-section which has aY-shape, cross shape, clover shape or any other suitable shape. In atleast one example embodiment, the reservoir 95 may include a filled tanklacking any storage medium and containing only pre-vapor formulation.

During vaping, pre-vapor formulation may be transferred from thereservoir 95 and/or storage medium to the proximity of the heatingelement 85 via capillary action of the wick 90. The wick 90 may includeat least a first end portion and a second end portion, which may extendinto opposite sides of the reservoir 95. The heating element 85 may atleast partially surround a central portion of the wick 90 such that whenthe heating element 85 is activated, the pre-vapor formulation in thecentral portion of the wick 90 may be vaporized by the heating element85 to form a vapor.

In at least one example embodiment, the wick 90 may include filaments(or threads) having a capacity to draw the pre-vapor formulation. Forexample, the wick 90 may be a bundle of glass (or ceramic) filaments, abundle including a group of windings of glass filaments, etc., all ofwhich arrangements may be capable of drawing pre-vapor formulation viacapillary action by interstitial spacings between the filaments. Thefilaments may be generally aligned in a direction perpendicular(transverse) to the longitudinal direction of the e-vaping device 10. Inat least one example embodiment, the wick 90 may include one to eightfilament strands, each strand comprising a plurality of glass filamentstwisted together. The end portions of the wick 90 may be flexible andfoldable into the confines of the reservoir 95. The filaments may have across-section that is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped,or in any other suitable shape.

In at least one example embodiment, the wick 90 may include any suitablematerial or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials maybe, but not limited to, glass, ceramic- or graphite-based materials. Thewick 90 may have any suitable capillarity drawing action to accommodatepre-vapor formulations having different physical properties such asdensity, viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure. The wick 90 maybe non-conductive.

In at least one example embodiment, the heating element 85 may include awire coil which at least partially surrounds the wick 90. The wire maybe a metal wire and/or the heater coil may extend fully or partiallyalong the length of the wick 90. The heater coil may further extendfully or partially around the circumference of the wick 90. In someexample embodiments, the heating element 85 may or may not be in contactwith the wick 90.

The heating element 85 can be in the form of a wire coil, a planar body,a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire or any othersuitable form.

In at least one example embodiment, the heater coil may be formed of anysuitable electrically resistive materials. Examples of suitableelectrically resistive materials may include, but not limited to,copper, titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinumgroup. Examples of suitable metal alloys include, but not limited to,stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-zirconium,hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium,manganese and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel,iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example, the heating element 85 maybe formed of nickel aluminide, a material with a layer of alumina on thesurface, iron aluminide and other composite materials, the electricallyresistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coatedwith an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics ofenergy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.The heating element 85 may include at least one material selected fromthe group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,nickel-chromium alloys, super alloys and combinations thereof. In anexample embodiment, the heating element 85 may be formed ofnickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In another exampleembodiment, the heating element 85 may be a ceramic heater having anelectrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

The inner tube 70 may include a pair of opposing slots, such that thewick 90 and the first and second electrical leads 225, 225′ or ends ofthe heating element 85 may extend out from the respective opposingslots. The provision of the opposing slots in the inner tube 70 mayfacilitate placement of the heating element 85 and wick 90 into positionwithin the inner tube 70 without impacting edges of the slots and thecoiled section of the heating element 85. Accordingly, edges of theslots may not be allowed to impact and alter the coil spacing of theheating element 85, which would otherwise create potential sources ofhotspots. In at least one example embodiment, the inner tube 70 may havea diameter of about 4 mm and each of the opposing slots may have majorand minor dimensions of about 2 mm by about 4 mm.

In at least one example embodiment, the first lead 225 is physically andelectrically connected to the male threaded connector piece 155. Asshown, the male threaded first connector piece 155 is a hollow cylinderwith male threads on a portion of the outer lateral surface. Theconnector piece is conductive, and may be formed or coated with aconductive material. The second lead 225′ is physically and electricallyconnected to a first conductive post 130. The first conductive post 130may be formed of a conductive material (e.g., stainless steel, copper,etc.), and may have a T-shaped cross-section as shown in FIG. 2. Thefirst conductive post 130 nests within the hollow portion of the firstconnector piece 155, and is electrically insulated from the firstconnector piece 155 by an insulating shell 135. The first conductivepost 130 may be hollow as shown, and the hollow portion may be in fluidcommunication with the air passage 120. Accordingly, the first connectorpiece 155 and the first conductive post 130 form respective externalelectrical connection to the heating element 85.

In at least one example embodiment, the heating element 85 may heatpre-vapor formulation in the wick 90 by thermal conduction.Alternatively, heat from the heating element 85 may be conducted to thepre-vapor formulation by means of a heat conductive element or theheating element 85 may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air that isdrawn through the e-vaping device 10 during vaping, which in turn heatsthe pre-vapor formulation by convection.

It should be appreciated that, instead of using a wick 90, the heatingelement 85 may include a porous material which incorporates a resistanceheater formed of a material having a high electrical resistance capableof generating heat quickly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second section 20 includes a power supply 145, acontrol circuit 185, and a sensor 190. As shown, the control circuit 185and the sensor 190 are disposed in the housing 30′. A female threadedsecond connector piece 160 forms a second end. As shown, the secondconnector piece 160 has a hollow cylinder shape with threading on aninner lateral surface. The inner diameter of the second connector piece160 matches that of the outer diameter of the first connector piece 155such that the two connector pieces 155, 160 may be threaded together toform the connection 25. Furthermore, the second connector piece 160, orat least the other lateral surface is conductive, for example, formed ofor including a conductive material. As such, an electrical and physicalconnection occurs between the first and second connector pieces 155, 160when connected.

As shown, a first lead 165 electrically connects the second connectorpiece 160 to the control circuit 185. A second lead 170 electricallyconnects the control circuit 185 to a first terminal 180 of the powersupply 145. A third lead 175 electrically connects a second terminal 140of the power supply 145 to the power terminal of the control circuit 185to provide power to the control circuit 185. The second terminal 140 ofthe power supply 145 is also physically and electrically connected to asecond conductive post 150. The second conductive post 150 may be formedof a conductive material (e.g., stainless steel, copper, etc.), and mayhave a T-shaped cross-section as shown in FIG. 2. The second conductivepost 150 nests within the hollow portion of the second connector piece160, and is electrically insulated from the second connector piece 160by a second insulating shell 215. The second conductive post 150 mayalso be hollow as shown. When the first and second connector pieces 155,160 are mated, the second conductive post 150 physically andelectrically connects to the first conductive post 130. Also, the hollowportion of the second conductive post 150 may be in fluid communicationwith the hollow portion of the first conductive post 130.

While the first section 15 has been shown and described as having themale connector piece and the second section 20 has been shown anddescribed as having the female connector piece, an alternativeembodiment includes the opposite where the first section 15 has thefemale connector piece and the second section 20 has the male connectorpiece.

In at least one example embodiment, the power supply 145 includes abattery arranged in the e-vaping device 10. The power supply 145 may bea Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ionpolymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply 145 may be anickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, alithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. Thee-vaping device 10 may be vapable by an adult vaper until the energy inthe power supply 145 is depleted or in the case of lithium polymerbattery, a minimum voltage cut-off level is achieved.

In at least one example embodiment, the power supply 145 isrechargeable. The second section 20 may include circuitry configured toallow the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. Torecharge the e-vaping device 10, an USB charger or other suitablecharger assembly may be used as described below.

In at least one example embodiment, the sensor 190 is configured togenerate an output indicative of a magnitude and direction of airflow inthe e-vaping device 10. The control circuit 185 receives the output ofthe sensor 190, and determines if (1) the direction of the airflowindicates a draw on the mouth-end insert 8 (versus blowing) and (2) themagnitude of the draw exceeds a threshold level. If these vapingconditions are met, the control circuit 185 electrically connects thepower supply 145 to the heating element 85; thus, activating the heatingelement 85. Namely, the control circuit 185 electrically connects thefirst and second leads 165, 170 (e.g., by activating a heater powercontrol transistor forming part of the control circuit 185) such thatthe heating element 85 becomes electrically connected to the powersupply 145. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 190 may indicate apressure drop, and the control circuit 185 activates the heating element85 in response thereto.

In at least one example embodiment, the control circuit 185 may alsoinclude a light 60, which the control circuit 185 activates to glow whenthe heating element 85 is activated and/or the battery 145 is recharged.The light 60 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). TheLEDs may include one or more colors (e.g., white, yellow, red, green,blue, etc.). Moreover, the light 60 may be arranged to be visible to anadult vaper during vaping, and may be positioned between the first end45 and the second end 50 of the e-vaping device 10. In addition, thelight 60 may be utilized for e-vaping system diagnostics or to indicatethat recharging is in progress. The light 60 may also be configured suchthat the adult vaper may activate and/or deactivate the heateractivation light 60 for privacy.

In at least one example embodiment, the control circuit 185 may includea time-period limiter. In another example embodiment, the controlcircuit 185 may include a manually operable switch for an adult vaper toinitiate heating. The time-period of the electric current supply to theheating element 85 may be set or pre-set depending on the amount ofpre-vapor formulation desired to be vaporized.

Next, operation of the e-vaping device to create a vapor will bedescribed. For example, air is drawn primarily into the first section 15through the at least one air inlet 55 in response to a draw on themouth-end insert 35. The air passes through the air inlet 55, into thespace 250, through the transverse channel 230 into the air passage 235,into the inner passage 120, and through the outlet 100 of the mouth-endinsert 35. If the control circuit 185 detects the vaping conditionsdiscussed above, the control circuit 185 initiates power supply to theheating element 85, such that the heating element 85 heats pre-vaporformulation in the wick 90. The vapor and air flowing through the innerpassage 120 combine and exit the e-vaping device 10 via the outlet 100of the mouth-end insert 35.

When activated, the heating element 85 may heat a portion of the wick 90for less than about 10 seconds.

In at least one example embodiment, the first section 15 may bereplaceable. In other words, once the pre-vapor formulation of thecartridge is depleted, only the first section 15 may be replaced. Analternate arrangement may include an example embodiment where the entiree-vaping device 10 may be disposed once the reservoir 95 is depleted. Inat least one example embodiment, the e-vaping device 10 may be aone-piece e-vaping device.

In at least one example embodiment, the e-vaping device 10 may be about80 mm to about 110 mm long and about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. Forexample, in one example embodiment, the e-vaping device 10 may be about84 mm long and may have a diameter of about 7.8 mm.

In at least one example embodiment, at least one portion of the e-vapingdevice 10 is formed of a material including at least one polymer and atleast one oxygen sequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portion includes atleast a portion of at least one of the housing 30, 30′, a portion of thereservoir 95, the inner tube 70, the mouth-end insert 35, the gasket240, the end cap 40, the connector 25, the insulating shell 135, thegasket 65, or a label (not shown), which may be wrapped around at leasta portion of the housing 30, 30′.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one polymer used toform the portion includes at least one of low density polyethylene, highdensity polyethylene, low density polypropylene, high densitypolypropylene, and poly(dimethylsiloxane). The high density polyethylenemay have a density ranging from about 0.93 g/cm³ to about 0.97 g/cm³.The low density polyethylene may have a density ranging from about 0.91g/cm³ to about 0.94 g/cm³. Any other suitable polymer may also be usedto form the portion so long as the polymer is combinable with the oxygensequestering agent.

In at least one example embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent is anultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent. The oxygensequestering agent includes at least one of 1,2 polybutadiene, ananthroquinone system, and a three phase blend including a reactivedouble bond, a photoinitiator, and a transition metal catalyst. Theoxygen sequestering agent includes poly(ethylene/ethylacrylate/cyclohexene-methyl acrylate) (EMCM). In at least one exampleembodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent may include a polymer matrixincluding a filler, a metal reactant, and a UV-radiation sensitive dye.

In at least one example embodiment, the material used to form theportion includes about 5% to about 99% of the polymer (e.g., about 10%to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 25%to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 30%to about 65%, about 35% to about 60%, about 40% to about 55% or about45% to about 50%). and about 1% to about 95% of the oxygen sequesteringagent (e.g., about 5% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 15% toabout 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 30% toabout 65%, about 35% to about 60%, about 40% to about 55%, or about 45%to about 50%).

In at least one example embodiment, the material used to form theportion may be the same as materials used to form oxygen absorptionstrips obtainable from CSP Technologies, Inc. of Auburn, Ala.

In at least one example embodiment, the portion formed of the materialis capable of absorbing and/or trapping atmospheric oxygen in order toreduce oxidation reactions and extend a shelf-life of the e-vapingdevice 10. In at least one example embodiment, the at least one portionis configured to absorb up to about 2.5 mL of pure oxygen or about 0.5mL to about 5.0 mL of pure oxygen (e.g., up to about 2.0 mL, up to about1.5 mL, about 0.5 mL to about 1.0 mL, about 1.5 mL to about 4.5 mL,about 2.0 mL to about 4.0 mL, or about 2.5 mL to about 3.5 mL).

In at least one example embodiment, the electronic vaping device has ashelf-life of at least 1 year (e.g., at least 9 months or at least 6months).

In at least one example embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent ismixed with the polymer to form the material, and the material is used toform the portion by molding or other suitable methods. In at least oneexample embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agent is coated on at leastone surface of the portion by dipping, spraying, painting, etc. Thecoating may have a thickness ranging from about 0.01 mm to about 5.0 mm(e.g., about 0.1 mm to about 4 mm, 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or about 1.0 mmto about 2 mm).

In at least one example embodiment, the oxygen sequestering agentincorporated in the portion may be activated with UV light before orafter assembling the e-vaping device 10.

At least one example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing aportion of an e-vaping device 10 and/or prolonging a shelf-life of thee-vaping device 10. The method includes incorporating at least oneportion formed of a material including at least one polymer and at leastone oxygen sequestering agent. The method may further include combiningthe polymer and the at least one oxygen sequestering agent and moldingthe portion. The molding may include injection-molding.

In other example embodiments, the incorporating may include forming atleast one portion of the polymer and coating at least one surface of theportion with the oxygen sequestering agent. The coating may be formed byspraying, dipping, and/or applying a film of the oxygen sequesteringagent to at least one surface of the at least one portion.

In at least one example embodiment, multiple portions of the e-vapingdevice 10 may be formed of the material including the polymer and theoxygen sequestering agent so as to increase the shelf-life of thee-vaping device 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are graphs illustrating nicotine degradant concentrationsof flavor formulations #1 and #2 sealed in hermetic packaging at 40° C.for 10 days with and without an oxygen absorption strip included in thepackaging. Flavor formulation #1 and #2 include glycerol, propyleneglycol, water, nicotine, and flavors. The oxygen absorption strip wasobtained from CSP Technologies, Inc. of Auburn, Ala.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the nicotine degradant concentrations offlavor formulation #1. Flavor formulation #1 is sealed in a firsthermetic packaging with an oxygen absorption strip. The oxygenabsorption strip had dimensions of about 0.3 mm by about 11.2 mm byabout 25.0 mm. The oxygen absorption strip was formed of a matrixincluding polyethylene and other food-grade ingredients. A second amountof flavor formulation #1 is sealed in a second hermetic packagingwithout an oxygen absorption strip.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the nicotine degradant concentrations offlavor formulation #2. Flavor formulation #2 is sealed in a firsthermetic packaging with an oxygen absorption strip. The oxygenabsorption strip had dimensions of about 0.3 mm by about 11.2 mm byabout 25.0 mm. The oxygen absorption strip was formed of a matrixincluding polyethylene and other food-grade ingredients. A second amountof flavor formulation #2 is sealed in a second hermetic packagingwithout an oxygen absorption strip.

The concentration of nicotine degradants in terms of a percentagerelative to the amount of nicotine in each of the formulations is shownin the graphs. Nicotine degradants that were not detected or had valuesbelow the level of quantitation will not have any bars present in thecharts.

As shown, for each flavor formulation, the presence of an oxygenabsorption strip reduced the total concentration of nicotine degradantsformed. Reductions were between about 43% and 61% as compared toidentical cartridges not packaged with an oxygen absorption strip.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed thatincorporating the ingredients of the oxygen absorption strip into theportions of the electronic vaping device will provide similar reductionsin total concentration of nicotine degradants.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understoodthat other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to oneskilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. An electronic vaping device comprising: a cartridgeincluding, at least one portion formed of a material including at leastone polymer and at least one oxygen sequestering material, the at leastone oxygen sequestering material configured to absorb atmosphericoxygen, the at least one portion including at least a portion of ahousing, at least a portion of a reservoir, at least a portion of amouth-end insert, at least a portion of a connector, at least a portionof an end cap, or any combination thereof; and a power supply sectionincluding, a power supply.
 2. The electronic vaping device of claim 1,wherein the at least one polymer is a natural polymer or a syntheticpolymer.
 3. The electronic vaping device of claim 2, wherein the atleast one polymer includes low density polyethylene, high densitypolyethylene, low density polypropylene, high density polypropylene,poly(dimethylsiloxane), or any combination thereof.
 4. The electronicvaping device of claim 1, wherein the oxygen sequestering material is anultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering material.
 5. Theelectronic vaping device of claim 1, wherein the oxygen sequesteringmaterial includes 1, 2-polybutadiene, an anthroquinone system, and athree phase blend including a reactive double bond, a photoinitiator, atransition metal catalyst, or any combination thereof.
 6. The electronicvaping device of claim 1, wherein the oxygen sequestering materialincludes poly(ethylene/methyl acrylate/cyclohexene-methyl acrylate)(EMCM).
 7. The electronic vaping device of claim 1, wherein the materialincludes about 5% to about 99% of the polymer and about 1% to about 95%of the oxygen sequestering material.
 8. The electronic vaping device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one portion is configured to absorb about0.5 mL to about 5.0 mL of pure oxygen.
 9. The electronic vaping deviceof claim 1, wherein the electronic vaping device has a shelf-life of atleast 1 year.
 10. A cartridge of an electronic vaping device comprising:at least one portion of the cartridge formed of a material including atleast one polymer and at least one oxygen sequestering material, the atleast one oxygen sequestering material configured to absorb atmosphericoxygen, the at least one portion including at least a portion of ahousing, at least a portion of a reservoir, at least a portion of amouth-end insert, at least a portion of a connector, at least a portionof an end cap, or any combination thereof.
 11. The cartridge of claim10, wherein the at least one polymer includes low density polyethylene,high density polyethylene, low density polypropylene, high densitypolypropylene, poly(dimethylsiloxane), or any combination thereof. 12.The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the oxygen sequestering material isan ultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering material.
 13. Thecartridge of claim 10, wherein the oxygen sequestering material includes1,2 polybutadiene, an anthroquinone system, and a three phase blendincluding a reactive double bond, a photoinitiator, a transition metalcatalyst, or any combination thereof.
 14. The cartridge of claim 10,wherein the oxygen sequestering material includes poly(ethylene/methylacrylate/cyclohexene-methyl acrylate) (EMCM).
 15. The cartridge of claim10, wherein the material includes about 5% to about 99% of the polymerand about 1% to about 95% of the oxygen sequestering material.
 16. Thecartridge of claim 10, wherein the at least one portion is configured toabsorb about 0.5 mL to about 5.0 mL of pure oxygen.
 17. The cartridge ofclaim 10, wherein the cartridge has a shelf-life of at least about 1year.